The Sunshine Coast had a tragic start to the May long weekend.
Seventy-four-year-old Sechelt resident Joyce Kerpan was killed in a two-vehicle accident around 9:40 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, in Gibsons.
According to Sunshine Coast RCMP, Kerpan was the lone occupant in a Ford Focus that collided with a transport truck that was towing a flat deck trailer.
Cpl. Murray McNeil said the transport truck struck the car on the passenger side in the intersection of Reed Road and North Road, pushing the car into the northbound ditch.
Kerpan was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital by air ambulance, but later died of her injuries.
A 53-year-old man from Gibsons was driving the truck. He did not sustain any injuries, according to McNeil.
Sunshine Coast RCMP traffic services and an RCMP traffic collision analyst were on scene for most of the day Thursday investigating the incident. Ferry traffic was re-routed in the area to allow investigators to complete their investigation.
"The investigation revealed that the deceased driver of the Ford Focus failed to stop for the stop sign at Reed Road and North Road," McNeil said.
"The Focus proceeded into the intersection without stopping and into the path of the northbound transport truck, which was travelling on North Road. An independent witness to the collision informed police that the truck driver had no chance to avoid the collision."
McNeil said road conditions and visibility were good at the time of the collision, and police do not suspect alcohol or speed as factors in the incident.
